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Nice place to spend an evening

I stayed in Sydney for about 5 days on a recent business trip and my hotel was at Darling Harbor.

I managed to stroll down to the harbor for dinner on the last day and found it to be a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

The harbor has a decent vibe about it. I actually spotted a large boat that was hosting a big party while it was docked at the harbor. That meant a fair bit of inebriated folks walking around. Luckily, no untoward incidents though.

There was a Madame Tussauds museum and since the last admission was at 19:00, it wasn't very crowded. I noticed an IMAX and an aquarium nearby as well.

There were a couple of souvenir shops but these closed relatively early. I don't think though Sydney has shops open late anyway.

The main attraction of the harbor is the number of restaurants along the walkway. There is sure to be something for everyone.More

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Ask Adesitraveller about Darling Harbour

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

It is a great place for everyone. Kids would love the Aquarium, indoor Wild Life Zoo and the public playground with its water play. There is always something for everyone like the Imax theatre, Madame Tussaud, Maritime museum, and Harbourside shopping centre. Generally it is less busier than Circular Quay. Plenty of choices for dinning from bars & restaurants to fast food chain like McDonalds, Pizza and Coffee shops. It is a great a place to spend time with family anytime. and watching the boats harbouring. Within walking distance from Paddy's Market in Chinatown area. If you do the walk from Chinatown to Darling Harbour you will pass through nice Chinese Garden and the Exhibition Centre. Information Centre for Visitor/Tourists is also available at Darling Harbour.

Ask bingung_deh about Darling Harbour

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

We're from San Francisco and mean-spiritedly dubbed this the Fisherman's Wharf of Sydney. While true it has a Madame Tussaud's, Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville and several other key landmark components that make the comparison worthy, it is also an unfair comparison in that the scope of public lands, parks, water features, pedestrian-features and orientation to the heart of the City make this combi-resident/tourist zone a substantially classier and cleaner component of urban life that Fisherman's Wharf might ever dream of being. The full scope includes the stunning Chinese Garden, Tumbalong Park and the Pyrmont Bridge in addition to the more touristy elements such as the Maritime Museum, Harbourside Shopping Centre, Exhibition Centre and the Convention Centre. The Cockle Bay Promenade is as lovely as any part of the Embarcadero excepting the beautiful view of San Francisco Bay. However, the stunning skyline of Sydney and the Darling Harbor waterfront along with the cuteness of Cockle Bay are nearly suitable exchange.

We toured this section on foot in less than an hour as a side step from our walking tour of the Central Business District/Town Hall and Hyde Park areas. Well worth the stroll downhill via Market and then returning up Liverpool.

Ask Mark B about Darling Harbour

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Darling Harbour is fantastic. So many restaurants, the IMAX theatre, the Sydney Aquarium (note if you go in after 6pm it is cheaper and see my review of it for more info), Harbourside shopping centre which is open until late and full of great places to eat, Chinatown and Paddys Markets not too far away, and on a summers evening any of the outdoor seating at any of the restaurants is a great place to sit, have a drink, people watch.

The one downside for me at least, is that they have removed the monorail. I loved that thing with the fire of a thousand suns. Sometimes I would just get on and go round and round, because I could. To me, Darling Harbour is incomplete without it. Now the only option you have to get around is to walk. Which is fine, but you better bring comfortable shoes, this is a big place, there is a lot of walking to do.. :)

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Ask MixedNut999 about Darling Harbour

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Quite a different vibe from Sydney Harbour, but great nonetheless, and beautiful in its own way. There is something for everyone here, many restaurants, stores and tourist attractions such as Madame Tussauds, the Wild Life Zoo and the Aquarium. Quite a good place to spend the evenings.

Ask Sidneiensis about Darling Harbour

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Preferred here to Circular Quay. Less busy and much more scenic. Maritime museum is worth a visit, as is Hard Rock cafe. Chinese friendship garden is great and there is a lovely play area and water gardens if you have younger children. Also a great food court so that everyone can eat different food but sit together.

Ask emmelinep64 about Darling Harbour

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.